Test drove 2018 Tacoma - LOVED everything...except the power

I'm not a speed demon, despite one of my cars being a 435 horsepower V8 Mustang 6-speed lol.

Am in the market for a Taco or Colorado. Looked at the Colorado. Great engine and trans. Everything else was just meh. The materials felt like they wouldn't hold up too well. The truck just looked cheap. But the 8 speed auto is really nice and the engine could get up and go. And the price is more than the Tacoma! They didn't seem too willing to negotiate.

Got into a Tacoma. I want a TRD Offroad short bed but they only had a Sport long box for me to test drive. Immediately I could tell the materials inside were much nicer than the Colorado. I thought I'd be put off by the lack of seat adjustment but I liked the seating position. It allowed for really good visibility. Even with the long box quad cab, the truck drove down tight streets without problem. I was surprised at how tight of turns it could manage.

But the engine...oh boy. See, I want an auto trans truck because I live in the city and driving a stick doesn't make sense for me any more.

Just lugging along it was fine if I wasn't in a hurry to get up to speed. But any little request for power seemed like a huge deal. The engine on this thing got LOUD. And I'm used to a 5.0 V8 so I don't mind some noise but it just sounded like it had a hole in the muffler. It would scream its head off to pass. And every time I needed any juice I could see the MPG meter really go down.

I get it, it's not a speed demon. But my 2010 Corolla 2.4 doesn't need to downshift like this thing to pass. Putting that ECT button seemed like it helped, though.

I love this truck for everything except the drivetrain. Salesman didn't seem too happy when I complained about the lack of power. I went through that in 2009 with the Toyota salesman who wanted me to upgrade from my 2005 Toyota to an 09 and essentially refused to let me test drive it. I think when the cars basically sell themselves, people are surprised when you don't really have a "omg I need this now" attitude.

I've owned 2 Toyotas and I like the brand, but i'm scared at what kind of fuel mileage this thing is going to get compared to a full-size if I have to keep prodding the engine to move along.
I wish I could swap my 5.0 engine into the Taco lol

 

Cool

 

Well it's good that you did a test drive before buying. These trucks are a little different, there is not much low end grunt but when you get high up in revs it will do pretty good so you need to adjust your driving style.

 

Welcome to TW. Get what you want. We have no idea as we don't know you. Good luck.

 

Ford Ranger.....

 

Thanks for letting us know how u feel about a truck that’s been out almost 3 years

 

You get used to it.

 

There is the OVTune that helps with drivability but it doesn't turn the truck into a rocket ship at low rpms, still gotta get pretty high up there

 

Glad you test drove one, hopefully you make the proper choice on whether this truck is for you or not. If you don't like it new, a multiple year old version won't seem any better.

No one here will/should try to convince you to like it. You have to pay for it, so get ready to make an adult decision and decide if it's right for you or not.

 

Lol why do most of the replies here seem butthurt instead of trying to help?

The transmission is fine but the factory tune fkd up and made it seem like it lacks some power, but Toyota released a fix for it recently.

It's a big difference, I am sure you would be pleased with it.

Tell the dealership you will not be buying the truck until they install the newest TSB update, TSB-0058-18(or TSB-0062-18 they are the same) let you test drive it, it will turn it into a whole new truck.

There is a multiple threads with hundreds of replies about the TSB update that fixes the "power issues".

 

Probably because OP made an account to post a complaint on here that’s been known since the release of the truck. Don’t like it? Cool. There is no help needed if he doesn’t like it. No need to blast your opinion on a website of Tacoma enthusiasts who love their truck

 

Known since the release of the truck? By most of the members on TW sure, not regular people who aren't here.

Was the TSB fix also known by everyone since the release of truck? Because it has fixed very similar complaints from many.

He is still in the market for a truck so mentioning the fix which might add another permanent TW member instead of acting like he personally insulted you, is the way to go.

 

That Tacoma will be worth more than that Colorado when you sell/trade it. I liked the Colorado when I was looking but the bed ... you need a step ladder and a pulley system to put anything in it. While I liked the interior, you can tell they reused Chevy spark materials in it. Cheap.

 

It's an Atkins-cycle motor designed specifically to increase fuel economy. You can slap on full 1/4" skids, sliders, front/rear bumpers, winch, topper, tent, and 33s and still get 18-20 MPG on the freeway.

You wouldn't complain that a Corolla can't climb a 30" ledge, would you? Prioritize your tasks, and find the correct tool for those tasks.

 

S mode FTW.

 

Holy shit, what Tacoma have you driven that has all that and gets 18-20mpg? I didn’t even get that stock

 

OP, I felt exactly the same way as you when I test drove the GMC against the taco. The motor in the twins felt much, much better than the one in the taco. I bought the taco and have grown to like the motor, but it certainly feels pokey at most throttle imputs. There is a new tune out from the factory that supposedly fixes some of the dead pedal feel. I'd bet the one on the lot you tested didn't have it.

The taco is not perfect, but it's a work in progress and mine now is probably 90% of the way there.

 

The TSB update/ OVTune are easy ways to help out what you’re looking for. The Taco gets its power from the higher RPMs....

 

They should have just left the 4.0 in the 3rd gens.

 

Meh, check the power numbers.... the 4.0 has terrible gas mileage, and is on its way out of the 4 Runner soon as wel